This melodic death metal band from Washington D.C. knows as Darkest Hour has had multiple successful and bad ass songs.  But there is one song that particularly stands out from their Deliver Us Album that was released in 2007.  MetalCallOut brings you Doomsayer [The Beginning Of The End] .

Sometime in the fall of 2001 Patrick Pintavalle and Jamie Stewart founded what would soon be a complete line up of The Absence. Then sometime in 2007 they released what would be our favorite album here at Metal Call Out, Riders of the Plague. Here is the first song off of that album " Riders of the Plague". There is not a lot to report about these guys, their formula is pretty cut and dry: make good melodic death metal.

Just last week, the sixth studio album and follow up to “Deliver Us” ("The Eternal Return") for D.C. natives Darkest Hour dropped at the 104th spot on U.S. popular music charts. Darkest Hour has done quite well at staying fresh and reinventing themselves enough but not too much. Usually anything these guys touch is gold, but this new album fell a little short for me.

DevilDriver is back again with the new album Pray For Villians (2009). The album contains most of the pieces you would find in a DevilDriver album. All the band members pieces are there, but there's something missing in the DevilDriver Pray for Villains album.

Thats right kiddies! For our very first music gear giveaways EVER, we have, for your listening satisfaction: Both Beneath the Heel of Oppression and A Conquest Triumphant. All you have to do to enter to win this is, (a) register with Metal Call-Out and (b) leave a comment on a With Faith or Flames entry on the site, telling us what you think! Remember we are always open for suggestions here and love feedback from you guys! The winner will be announced at the end of the month.

36 Crazyfists have been on a long road to create some great metal music.  Going through different trials, band members and deaths (JD Stuart – bass (died in a car accident in July, 1996) ).  But moving forward and continuing their style of play.  In tribute from them coming off their latest tour, Metal Call-Out brings you The All Night Lights from their latest album The Tide and Its Takers.

3 Inches Of Blood Battles and Brotherhood is a new song from their new album coming out September 8th 2009 entitled Here Waits Thy Doom.  This song has everything you would expect out of 3 Inches Of Blood.  Fast riffs, beats and classic rock vocals.  Oh there will be "Blood Shed, Death and Vengeance is Glorious."  Watch for 3 Inches of Blood on tour with In Flames, Between The Buried And Me and Faceless.

Arkaea is a new developed band with familiar members. Christian Olde Wolbers (guitar) and Raymond Herrera (drum) from “Fear Factory” and Jon Howard (vocal) and Pat Kavanaugh (bass) from “Threat Signal” have joined forces to create album entitled Years In the Darkness.

Gama Bomb is an Irish, thrash metal crossover band based mainly in the UK.  Formed in 2002, Gama Bomb, with the help of heavy touring made themselves a name and solid fan base in the UK and surrounding areas. Then in 2006 Gama Bomb released their first studio album “Survival of the Fastest” on Witches Brew Records. Shortly after, Gama Bomb signed to Earache Records.

Sleeping in Gethsemane
From: Fargo, North Dakota, USA

Albums: “The Great White North” (2007), “Burrows: (2009)

Sleeping in Gethsemane is an experimental, instrumental band featuring Brandon S. on Bass, Shane H. on Drums and Brandon L. on Guitar. Sleeping in Gethsemane has released two albums as of April 7th, 2009. The first being “The Great White North” in 2007 and the latest 2009 release “Burrows” available  through INIT Records.

SIG is a wonderfully diverse and talented post metal/hardcore band in the vein of Mouth of the Architect and Pelican. “Burrows” is an album that needs to be listened to from beginning to end to grasp the full scope of the bands diversity. 

Links: www.myspace.com/sleepingingethsemane

Greta Knights
From: Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

Albums:  “Trance Formers” (2009)

A melodic "Techno/Nintendo" deathcore band, Greta Knights is a 3 piece with Remi on Vocals, Shawn on Guitars/Synthesizer, and Pat on Percussion. Greta Knights has one album “Trance Formers” self-released in 2009

Greta Knights is a wonderfully fun, if not some times over the top band that not only created a genre, but cornered it. For fans of 1000 Dead Rabbits, Sky Eats Airplane, Horse the Band, 8-bit and Nintendo.

 Links: http://www.myspace.com/gretaknights

Wintersun  From: Finland   Discography: “Wintersun” (2004) “Time” (2010- expected)   Wintersun was supposed to be a side project of Ensiferum member Jari Mäenpää but due to scheduling conflicts Jari quit Ensiferum and Wintersun became his full time project. Wintersun is currently signed to Nuclear Blast records and features the following members:   Jari Mäenpää - Vocals, Guitars Teemu Mäenpää- Guitar Jukka Koskinen- Bass Kai Hahto- Drums   Wintersun’s blend of power, viking, folk, and death metal makes for an all around ear pleasing and enjoyable listening experience. While we were sad to see Jari leave Ensiferum, Petri Lindroos(ex-Norther) is a great fit and we think everything worked out the way it should.    Links: www.myspace.com/wintersun

Disarmonia Mundi From: Turin, Italy   Discography:  “ Nebularium” (2001),  “Fragments of D-Generation” (2004), “Mind Tricks” (2006),  “The Restless Memoirs” (2009), “The Isolation Game” (November 2009)   Disarmonia Mundi is a melodic -death metal band that has its roots in progressive metal. DM was founded in early 2000 by Ettore Rigotti.  The Band has gone through numerous line up changes its current members are:   Ettore Rigotti- Guitar/ Drums/ Clean Vocals/ Bass/ Keyboards Cladio Ravinale- Gothic Vocals/ Keyboards   In November of 2009 the band will release its fifth studio album “The Isolation Game” on Scarlet Records.    Disarmonia Mundi is an ever progressing, ever evolving group with more talent packed into their two bodies than far too many bands have in their entire line up. Their albums shift and change with every turn making them enjoyable and attention grabbing releases, each more so than the last. For fans of progressive death metal, Blinded Colony and Scar Symmetry.   Links: www.myspace.com/disarmoniamundi

Neuraxis
From: Canada

Discography: “Truth/Imagery/Passage” (2004), “Truth Beyond” (2002) “Trilateral Progression” (2005), “Live Progression” (2007), “The Thin Line Between” (2008)

Neuraxis is a technical/ melodic death metal band, formed in 1994 by Steven Henry, Yan Thiel and Felipe Angel Quinzanos. As of 2004 there are no original members left and the musicians:   Rob Miley- Guitar Will Seghers- Guitars Alex Leblac- Vocals   These musicians make up the band currently. They are signed to Prosthetic Records.   Neuraxis has a very unique style combining elements of tech and melodeath elements with a progressive edge. For fans of Anata, and Odious Mortem.    Links: www.myspace.com/neuraxis

Imperanon
From: Helsinki, Finland

Discography: “Stained” (2004)   Imperanon was a melodic death/ power metal band that formed in 1999. The band released several demos but only one full length. They were signed to Nuclear Blast. The members:   Aleksi Sihvonen- vocals, guitar Teemu Mantysaari- guitars Aki Hopeasaari-bass Jaakko Nylund- drums Aleksi Virta- keyboards   They have gone on to be in such bands as Medicated, Nother, and Wintersun.   Imperanon is a great starting point for fans of Wintersun and Norther. I would have liked to see more of them in action but rumor had it that Nuclear Blast would not renew their contract due to the majority of the members being in other bands. Its a bit rare to come across but try to get your hands on “Stained” or any demos you can find, you wont be disappointed.    Links: www.myspace.com/imperanon

Insomnium                                                                                               From: Joensuu, Finland   Discography: “In the Halls Awaiting” (2002), “Since the Day it All Came Down” (2004), “Above the Weeping World” (2006), “Across the Dark” (2009)   Insomnium is a melodic death metal band that was formed in 1997. Since the beginning Insomnium has steadily evolved their style of music, drawing influences from doom and symphonic metal. They are currently signed to Candlelight with the following members:   Niilo S.- vocals Ville F.- guitar Villi V. guitar Marcus H.- drums   Insomnium is an amazingly talented band that creates a high energy blend of symphonic, doom and classic death metals not soon forgotten. Whether the band is relating about sorrow, and loss or quoting classic poets like Holderlin, and Poe, their lyrics are a deeply important piece of the whole picture. For fans of Dark Tranquillity, Kalmah, or Eternal Tears of Sorrow.     Links: www.insomnium.net            www.myspace.com/insomniumband

Svartsot
From: Randers, Denmark

Discography: Ravenes Saga (2007)   Svartsot is a folk metal band that formed in 2005 and after releasing the demos, “Svundne Tider” and "Tvende Ravne", in 2006 was signed to Napalm Records. In 2008 the band purged itself of over half its members citing “creative differences”. The current line up is a follows:   Thor Bager- vocals Cristoffer Frederiksen- lead guitar, mandolin Cliff Nemanim- rhythm guitar James Atkin- bass Danni Jelsgaard- drums Hans-Jorgen Martinus Hansen- Iris whistles, accordion Stewart C. Lewis- whistles, bodhran, axes   Svartsot is part of the new wave of folk metal bands, and as such I love them. They share similar sounds with Ensiferum and Blackguard, but add their own twist of stylized heathen fun. Don’t pass Svartsot up just because you cant easily pronounce their name at your local record shop.   Links: www.myspace.com/svartsot

Hypocrisy From: Sweden   Discography: “Penetralia” (1992), “Osculum Obscenum (1993), “The Fourth Dimension” (1994), “Abducted” (1996), “The Final Chapter” (1997), “Hypocrisy” (1999), “Into The Abyss “(2000), “Catch 22” (2002), “The Arrival” (2004), “Virus” (2005), “Catch 22 (V2.0.08)” (2008), “A Taste of Extreme Divinity” (2009)   Hypocrisy is a death metal band that was formed in 1990. They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast Records and have twelve albums, four EPs, and numerous tours under their belts. The bands lyrics have typically dealt with aliens and abductions, however in 2005’s “Virus”, the lyrics took to a more “death metal” direction with songs about death, war and emotional struggles.  Current line up is:   Peter Tagtgren- vocals, guitar, and synthesizer Mikkael Hedlund- bass Reidar Horghagen- drums   What could I possibly say about Hypocrisy to do them justice? They are a classic and like a fine wine, get better with age. The death metal genre would not be the same with out Hypocrisy’s influence, and ability to stand the test of time. Their latest album, “A Taste of Extreme Divinity”, is a brilliant work of art, for fans of At the Gates and Bloodbath.   Links: www.hypocrisy.tv

Such Vengeance From: Orem, Utah   Discography: “The Time Is Now” (2009)   Such Vengeance is a death/thrash metal band formed in May of 2008. Their debut album,“The Time Is Now” was self recorded, produced and distributed. SV is:   Ian Eskelson - Vocals Derrick Dennert - Guitar Conor Papineau - Guitar Josh Hone - Bass Eric Watson – Drums   Such Vengeance really surprised me when I first put their CD in. I have a really nasty habit of not expecting much when it comes to local (Utah) bands, and this is the second time I have had to pull my foot out of my mouth. SV ‘s album is one that comes from a group who’s dedicated is to music and not “the scene”. SV is a stand out act amongst a plethora of bands that seem to only have it in their mind to be the next ____(whatever). Such Vengeance is the next Such Vengeance. If you live in Utah, go pick up one of their CDs at a Greywhale location, if you are from out of state, there is a link at the bottom.   Links: www.myspace.com/389800008   CD: www.cdbaby.com/cd/SuchVengeance

Exivious From: Noord-Brabant, Netherlands   Discography: “Exivious” (2009)   Exivious is a fusion-metal band featuring members of Cynic and Textures. The band released their first album “Exivious” independently in digipack limited to 1000 numbered copies with their own unique artwork. Exivious is:   Tymon- guitar Michel Niehuis- guitar Robin Zielhorst- bass Stef Broks- drums   I never heard of “fusion-metal” before Exivios- in fact I imagine they made the term up to suit their newfound hybrid baby. Not smoky enough to be jazz, not lazy enough to be lounge, not aggressive enough to call themselves metal, and yet they are all of the above. Exivious isn’t on another level - Exivious is another level. This is for open-minded fans of progressive metal, or those that enjoy the sounds of Animals as Leaders.   Links: www.myspace.com/exivious

Amorphis From: Finland   Discography: “The Karelian Isthums” (1992), Tales From the Thousand Lakes” (1994), “Elegy” (1996), “Tuonela” (1999), “Am Universum” (2001), “Far From The Sun” (2003), “Eclipse” (2006), “Silent Waters” (2007), “Skyforger” (2009)   Amorphis started as a melodic death metal band, but in more recent years their style incorporates elements of progressive and doom metal. Formed in 1990, Amorphis recorded four studio albums with vocalist Pasi Koskinen. In 2004 after recording “Far From The Sun”, Pasi left the band. Vocalist Tomi Joutsen of Sinsthra then joined the band and aided in the bands increasingly progressive shift into more diverse styles. The most current line up of Amorphis is:   Tomi Joutsen- vocals Esa Holopainen- guitar Tomi Koivusaari- guirar Niclas Etlavuori- bass Santeri Kallio- keyboards Jan Rechberger- drums   I love Amorphis because its kind of like getting two bands in one. From 1992-2003 you have a very progressive, hateful, melodic death metal band that showed steady betterment through the years and helped define a genre. Then from 2006’s “Eclipse” on you have a more defined, groundbreaking, Kalevala inspired work of progressive metal awesomeness. Got out and get “Tales From The Thousand Lakes” then “Skyforger” then everything in between. Amorphis will attract fans of Sentenced, Katatonia and Insomnium. 

Everyone needs a little depressive music to help cope with the long winter months ahead, unless of course you are just north or south of the equator. And Catacombs ‘In the Depths of R’lyeh’ is just such an album. Clocking in at over an hour in total each track on the record, most of them well over the ten-minuet mark create an atmosphere as deep and seemingly impossible as the Lovecraft works that inspired them.      ... read on

Disarmonia Mundi is an Italian band that pound for pound has consistently released solid albums and ‘The Isolation Game’ (due out December 9th) is no exception.  Having not seen much new material from the band since 2006’s  ‘Mind Tricks’, fans will be please to have something, anything new to plug in. But don’t get too excited—while ‘Isolation...’ is a stable record here I sit, three tracks into my second listening and I am board. There is a collective of bands ie; Soilwork, Scar Symmetry, Blinded Colony and Disarmonia Mundi that since the 90s and despite the fact they boast some very talented musicians and song writing- just keep releasing the same stuff. I don’t mind checking it out- however, there are just so many innovative, groundbreaking melodic-death metal bands out there, that I am left to question, why should I listen to this album? Well, I probably wont.

Hieronymus Bosch is a name that is familiar to French art enthusiasts everywhere.  But for those of us in this seedy underworld, the name should be synonymous instead--with great technical death metal. Hailing from Moscow Russia, they made a name for themselves after being the first Russian band to play in the Tuska Open Air Metal Festival in Finland. Hieronymus Bosch has been around since 1993 (!) but I'm willing to bet that most of you, dear readers, have never even heard of them.  Today, lets change that and swim in the sonic canvas that is their awesomeness.

Shades of Dusk From: Canada   Discography: ‘Caress The Despair’ (2006), ‘Quiescence’ (2008)   Shades of Dusk is a technical death-metal band currently signed to Prodisk Records. The bands lyrics typically deal with real-life experience and philosophy.   Shades of Dusk is: Joffrey Chouinard- vocals Louis-Philippe Leroux- guitar Julien Rodrigue- bass Sebastien Pilon- drums   Shades of Dusk have been a sort of sleeper-hit machine since their inception in 2006. Passing under even our own radar until last week when they came recommended to me from a reader on last.fm, the band has already released two full lengths and shared the stage with some impressive names. Melodic, fast and absent of those pesky breakdowns, Shades of Dusk is a far cry from many of the ‘core-acts’ they get lumped together with. Deathscript tested, Deathscript approved.   For fans of: Archons, Light This City   Links:   http://www.myspace.com/shadesofdusk

Aeternitas From: Australia   Discography: ‘Holocaust Of Reason’ EP (2009)   Aeternitas is a symphonic metal band formed in early 2008. In late 2009, the band released their debut EP ‘Holocaust Of Reason’ recorded at Studio Anders Debeerz. Aeternitas is:   Sam Phillips- vocals Nathan Riedel- guitars Mitch Ketter- guitars Jay Coulter- drums Phil- keyboards   Aeternitas took it home when we asked our last.fm group members what  their favorite album of 2009 was. As a fairly young band, Aeternitas, since their inception, wowed audiences and open-minded critics alike. While I can’t pinpoint what it is exactly makes ‘Holocaust Of Reason’ so special, other than that it is refreshing... I can tell you that its worth more than the quick brush-over it has been given for the most part. This year’s ‘Best of ‘09’ lists were no more than underground popularity contests that, despite their contradicting nature, were pined over too long and suspiciously  bands like Aeternitas were absent. Despite not having the backing of a multi-million dollar label, Aeteritas put out one of the best albums of ’09.   Links: http://www.myspace.com/aeternitasmetal

I think almost every music fan, by nature is wary when someone in their favorite band or group has a ‘side-project’ Sadly for the most part it works out to be either a watered down version of the original band or ‘a different side’ of the artist you would have rather not seen. So with the hesitation of a virgin on prom night I listened to Forest of Fog, the black metal side project of one Ivo Henzi. Not exactly a household name (yet) but Henzi is from a little band you may have heard of recently, or seen sitting comfortably on their throne atop the folk-metal kingdom, Eluveitie.  Much to my surprise what I found around my third spin of the album Abgründe, was an extremely underrated black metal project that I, without hesitation this time, added to my ‘shelf of honor’ playlist. Densely atmospheric and brooding, Forest of Fog is a shining example of the kind of black metal I wish their was more of. Whether you love them as I do, or hate them- don’t let Henzi’s involvement with Eluveitie sway your opinion about Forest of Fog in either direction. Forest of Fog is very much a stand alone, and very much worth an honest and objective listen.

Not too long ago I was able to get in touch with Simon of Germany's own folk masters Finsterforst, to ask some questions about the new record, touring and being down a singer. We will post the interview sometime next week, probably Tuesday, so keep your eyes peeled.  In the mean time enjoy the track 'Urquell' from Finsterforst's latest, '...zum Tode hin' and have a great weekend!

 Though I have neglected to write about this German black metal outfit, Nocte Obducta’s albums Naktar: Teil 1 and 2 have been getting regular spins from me for sometime now. As a band, Nocte Obducta took a somewhat experimental approach to black metal, focusing on melody and technicality in lieu of traditional minimalism.

Born as Desihra, Nocte Obducta released their first full-length album in 1999 and six more since then. Much of the lyrical content of the band is rooted in traditional German poetry, nature and to some extent depression. In 2006 the band announced their split but released an album in 2008, mostly containing previously recorded drums and guitars. Nocte Obucta has, without ideology or prejudice, revolutionized black-metal- solidifying it once again, as many of the greats have before, an indefinable art medium. 

 After a long day of splendid new videos from Amorphis and Dark Tranquillity, some 'Wingthor's Hammer' from Equilibrium and hot tea will suffice.  I am off to ''Catch Them All'', you all have a great day. Don't forget to check out what's the latest buzz in our foum and enter this months contest for a copy of the Falling Down II compilation. 

How good are Sundays? Would you call them Nile good? Or maybe just Karl Sanders side project good? For this Sunday's Stream I am going to pull out all the stops and say it's going to be Nile good. So, from Nile's 2009 album 'Those Whom The Gods Detest', enjoy 'Kafir' then get out there and enjoy the last day of the weekend. 

 I am calling it an early day today, but we are leaving  you this weekend with some killer artwork from Andreas Marschall and a new video from the fantastic Criminal to enjoy. All we need now, after a long short day of visual treats, is some Iskald. Iskald is a “sognametal” band heavily influenced by Norse mythology, putting their own spin on this thrashy style of black metal from the cold north. If you need more metal enjoyment this weekend check out this video of High on Fire we posted earlier or this video of the Metallica riots on My Mental Nudity.

After a jaunt through New Zealand, Australia, and Japan, Isis has returned to the US and announced tour dates for May and June. The Los Angeles based post-metal band will also be making a stop to play the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee. You can check out ‘Hall of the Dead’ from the band’s 2009 album ‘Wavering Radiant’ by clicking play above. Tour dates after the jump.

This morning, Crustcake.com reported that new material from Alcest’s upcoming record ‘Écailles de Lune’ was beginning to surface.  NOT the fake, bootlegged crap making the rounds in blogspots across the world, but real material you can download right here.  The track is very chill and atmospheric in nature, and could easily put a guy like me right to sleep.  That's not a particularly bad thing--as a fan of Neun Welten and Kauan I can appreciate the softer side of 'metal', that is to say music with metal sensibilities, or 'post-whateverthekidsarecallingit'.  In all honesty, the new track is quite enjoyable and will probably spawn an all-day Alcest listening party here in the office--which means you can expect to be reading from the softer side of Deathscript today--JLovescript.  <3

Alcest and label Prophecy Productions also announced today the first ever, North American Alcest tour to take place April 22 through May 01.  You can see those dates after the jump.

If you were in the mood for some new discoveries, today was your day.  Between an entire album streaming from (for me, the under-impressive) Barren Earth and a new music gem we are calling this week's Shiny Penny, you should have plenty to dote or hate on over the weekend.  If not though, take a look at this week's ‘Metal Can Look Good Too’ featuring art from King Diamond’s ‘Abigail’ or feast your eyes on some past ‘Metal Can Look Good Too’ here, here and here.  We will be back on Sunday with another Sunday Stream and (if you're lucky and I'm feeling generous enough), a little something on Saturday as well.
Click play above to hear ‘Unbroken Silence’ from Dark The Suns’ album ‘All Ends In Silence’-- yet another treat to end the week.

 

[Yawn] What's wrong with me?  It's almost one and I'm still tired as all hell.  It's not like I stayed up all night reading comic books or anything.  Oh wait, I guess I did.  At any rate, Sworn is always a good way to get that blood flowing on a Sunday morning so without further ado, I present the track 'Prophecies from the Land of Lost Voices', streaming above from Sworn's 2009 album 'Bastards and Conquerors'. 

 Today is a day not unlike many others. We had a new video from the Deftones and new video from Slayer... not. Also an announcement from the fantastic Equilibrium, and to top it all off an analysis of recording albums in the hot desert regions of West Texas. As I have been listening to old Equillibrium all day in the wake of their announcement, I think the track ‘Wingthors Hammer’ from their 2005 album ‘Turis Fratyr’ ought to be the soundtrack of this wrap-up of the days events.

P.S. New NSFW Slayer video should be up tomorrow. 

Listen to Excrecor and then Ratt’s new album (if you must).  Click here to see Katatonia tour dates and by all means, check out the new Slayer video and tell us what's up.  I'm off to play some Battlefront and relax.  Enjoy the rest of your hump day and the track ‘Twilight of the Thunder God’ from Amon Amarth's 2008 album of the same name.

We finally made it to Friday!  I hope everyone enjoys their weekend and gets off their computers for even just a moment to take advantage of the coming great weather.  This week we brought you:

-News from Arjen Lucassen on a new Star One album in pre-production

-A brand spankin’ new Deftones video

-A review on the layout of the Sonic Ranch in El Paso

-A new (meh-worthy) Slayer video

-Great news and a new streaming track from Equillibrium

-A new Toxic Holocaust video

-Spectacular album art from Mastodon

Get out there and do something with yourself, but make sure you come back tomorrow and see Mat’s review of the Finntroll, Moonsorrow and Swallow the Sun concert.  Also, as usual on Sunday we'll have a new Sunday Stream.   Press play above to hear the track‘Neither Shape Nor Shadow’ from Be’lakor . Happy weekend! 

Good day merry gentlemen and ladies alike.  We’ve got a lot of cool stuff for you today including (should my general lack of enthusiasm pass) another installment of ‘If You Like That, Try This‘ and some news about Nile.  I thought I would start the day off today with a track from a band I discovered just this morning, Gehenna.  Gehenna is one of the many, many bands that were formed in 1993 in Norway.  Since then they’ve recorded six full-length albums and numerous demos and EPs.  While the band’s page lists them as active, they have not recorded and album since 2005’s ‘WW’, from which the song above is taken.  

As I have not heard any material other than ‘WW’ I can’t really speak for the rest of the band’s catalogue, but ‘WW’ is a haunting yet accessible piece of black metal art.  Despite featuring one of my least favorite black metal musicians (Frost) on drums, the entire album is incredibly well written and delivered, with riffs reminiscent of early classics in the genre, sickeningly quick blast beats and impressive, raw vocals that simply will not quit.  The tracks on the album itself shift and pitch from devastatingly fast to simple, fuzzy drones that contribute to this albums overall bleak atmosphere.  But don’t take my word for it..

 I've lived a little too much in the mainstream for my liking today.  Out of the new As I Lay Dying tracks, the Norther download and news of the Alice in Chains/Deftones/Mastodon tour, the only thing that really piqued my interest was Norther.  The track is good and those that know me know I love my Norther.  (I suppose I am a bit biased).  I'm going to end the day with something deep deep within the vaults, the title track off Lord Belial’s record ‘Enter The Moonlight Gate’.

I actually hadn’t heard of Lord Belial until about a week ago when a friend introduced them to me and suggested this very album.  It’s a shame and a surprise I didn’t stumble on this band sooner, being that they are amongst the pioneers of Swedish black metal.  The band formed in 1992(!) and has recorded eleven full-length albums, a few EPs and even put out two DVDs.  Now defunct, Lord Belial called it quits in ’09 due to some hearing problems from that of their drummer.  On the split, the band released the following statement: 

“The main reason for this is the hearing problem (tinnitus) that has grown into a quite big problem for Micke the last years… The other members in the band were not forced to put an end to the band but instead they mutually agreed that finding another drummer was not a solution for the future.  Anyhow, if Micke’s hearing will be at least a little bit recovered after a break from music and especially live appearances for some time, we really hope that we can continue where we ended.”

A 17 year legacy, even one that I, until recently knew nothing about, is nothing short of impressive.  With that, I give you the track ‘Enter The Moonlight Gate’ from Lord Belial’s 1997 album of the same name.  Enjoy!  And keep your chin up, only one more day ‘till the weekend!

 

For some time now we have been keeping tabs on Floridian death metalers The Absence, waiting anxiously for anymore studio updates in regard to their follow up album to ‘Riders of the Plague’.  Finally some news came from the Absence camp, but not in the jovial spirit we had hoped for; instead Blabbermouth reports the following

“Justin Reynolds, drummer of the Tampa, Florida melodic thrash outfit The Absence, was involved in a bad automobile accident last week in Sarasota, Florida.  Justin sustained injuries to his neck and back and totaled his car”

They continue to report that local musician Matt Solka has filled in Reynolds position for the time being.  All I can really say is that the Metal Call-Out team wishes Justin all the best and we hope for a speedy recovery and return to music.  Be sure to send Justin your good vibes, best wishes, prayers or whatever it is you do. 

You can hear a track from The Absence’s last album by pressing play above.

I want to talk to you about a little band called Trollskogen. Despite what you may think based on listening to the track above and the deception of their name, Trollskogen is actually an Australian two-man band that has been around since 2001. The two members of the band, going only by their initials S.M. and F.A., make a folky cold black metal that has made its way into my regular rotation and I number it as one of my favorite metal discoveries so far this year.

There is only so much one can say about black metal without sounding redundant or pretentious, so for this Shiny Penny I will let the band’s music do the talking. I will say however, that what initially sparked my interest in the band interestingly enough was visual, not sonic, in particular their logo (seen above) which was so awesome it prompted me to seek out the band’s material and neither has let me down since, going to prove that how a band presents itself is often as important as the music they make, for as in this instance it lead to an unshakable fan.

I’m off to a particularly late start. Looking down the barrel of a bunch of videos I ought to be posting today, everything from Accept to this horrible little over-sexed band that calls their genre ‘black ‘n roll’. I will try to get to it all, but given my unusually low motivation this afternoon, I won’t make any promises.

Besides that, there is the fact there isn’t much in the way of news from bands I actually like (Accept not withstanding) – and I won't feel satisfied unless I put up a really kick ass song to stream first and should time allow, another when the day is done. Scrolling through the day’s playlist, I can find no song more kick ass than ‘Printemps emeraude’ from Alcest. Enjoy.

 

I have talked about this one before, but only briefly and in case y’all forgot, here it goes again. 

Aeternitas released their debut EP The Holocaust of Reason in late October of last year and by the end of the year I proclaimed it one of the best metal releases in 2009. In case you thought its late release date had something to do with it being fresh in my mind and therefore bestowed with my “one of the best” labels, you were mistaken. Even after listening to many of my other picks for 2009, Aeternitas still reigns among the top and I will do you one better than that and say it's one of the better albums I have heard in an entire 365 day period.

Aternitas has a melodic passion and purpose that you are all too often unable to find in a band that does not still have its youth. Sparks and I have talked about such things recently, relating that perhaps it was its youth and this bands no-strings-attached approach to their six-song mini epic that made it so good. Well, that and the benefit of having an extremely talented lineup. Despite their youth, the band plays together like seasoned professionals and creates an atmosphere rich and symphonic whilst not sacrificing extremity, but none so much that this music isn’t approachable. No label, no sold out stadiums, no bullshit, this band really has got something going and I hope for the listeners sake they continue to carry on despite the undeserved lack of press. 

This is a band you will want to support and you can do so by purchasing their CD directly from the band here for $15 including postage to anywhere in the world. They also have tees and a combo pack for you to choose from for just a pinch more.

Feeling tired? Bad case of the Mondays? If the coffee is not cutting it this morning there is meth, but if you wish to forgo all those pesky side effects but retain the jittery sense of alertness you can always just pop in a CD from The Number 12 Looks Like You.

This band’s frantic and furious tempos that pitch and shift the listener through a multitude of sonic spheres in seemingly a matter of moments are enough to jump start and leave even the most docile of folk frazzled. My favorite album from this young band was one of their earliest works, Sad. Nuclear. Sad., which retained some melody whilst still subjecting the listener to the aforementioned highly caffeinated lashings. Sadly The Number 12 now looks defunct but that won’t stop us from naming Sad. Nuclear. Sad.  the album of the day. Above you can listen to the track The Devils Dick Diaster and below you can share your opinion. 

I have put off my Shiny Pennies column for too long. I think it’s been about four weeks since my last one, and for that I apologize. Unless of course you think this column is stupid, in which case you may stop reading now.

Angantyr. Not quite sure how to pronounce this one but that’s not relevant -- you can’t hear me  say it wrong anyway. I was turned on to this guy by a brother in arms who runs the Morbid Tabernacle (Metal Call-Out neither endorses nor encourages illegal downloads). Angantyr the name of the Dutch one-man black metal project of Ynleborgaz whom you may or may not know from his work in a little band called Make a Change... Kill Yourself. If that turns you off (as it did me) hang in there for a moment and left me finish. 

I’ve never actually heard Make A Change... Kill Yourself, and they might actually be really good, I don’t know. Their name... just... it makes it hard for me to want to listen, you know? And don’t even pretend you haven’t judged a book by it’s cover before. I recently talked to a guy who hadn't ever listened to Imperium Dekadenz because he thought there name sounded “stupid”.  I’ll give him that, but he also doesn't know what he’s missing. ID are freaking amazing! But look,  here I am off topic again, I’ve been doing that a lot today. We are not here to talk about Make a Change... Kill Yourself or Imperium Dekadenz. What I am driving at is that Angantyr does not sound like you would think Make A Change... does, assuming you hadn’t heard them before. Make sense?  

Angantyr is, simply put, amazing. I took an almost instant liking to the album Hævn and in each subsequent listen I find myself loving it even more. It’s raw, and grim, and hateful -- everything black metal should be. But it’s also more than that. It’s beautiful, and epic and even sad sometimes -- something most wouldn’t associate with black metal. Don’t bother listening to the track above if it will sit in the back of 10 open windows and a phone call. This is not background music. This is music you have to let soak in, you have to apply yourself to. 

I decided not to stream the one track on the album that really sealed the deal for me in terms of my man-crush on this band. In part because I’m hoping to motivate everyone that reads this to check it out on their own and because it is over seventeen minuets long and might not fit in our media player. Instead, this is the first track on the record, Et Varsel Om Død, which sets the mood nicely and from which I think you will get the general idea. Enjoy!

Slow news day today, so here’s a little something to keep you occupied whilst waiting with bated breath for our next post. 

My Dying Bride is actually one of my top twenty or so favorite bands and perhaps a little bit of a guilty pleasure.  Their latest album, For The Lies I Sire, is no Songs of Darkness, Words of Light but I find myself loving it more and more with each listen.  Vocalist, Aaron Stainthorpe describes the album as “quite possibly the we’ve created to date”, and I’ll have to agree.  In this album the band sought out the accompaniment of a violinist again for the first time since 1996’s Like Gods of the Sun, which adds a layer of despair to the already lugubrious vocals and instrumentation present on the record.  My one qualm is, sadly, this album is almost completely void of Stainthorpe’s legendary death metal grunts leaving a small something to be desired.  We won’t hold it against them though, this album was the next natural chapter in the story of My Dying Bride.

My favorite track on For The Lies I Sire, and the one you can hear above, is My Body, A Funeral -- the first song on the album.  It’s good ‘staring out the window’ (something I find my self doing a lot of lately) music -- slow, poetic and mournful yet ever heavy and never boring.  If you haven’t had the chance to check out My Dying Bride before, here it is.  If you like what you hear, I would highly recommend looking into their album Songs of Darkness, Words of Light, though it should be known; I celebrate their entire catalogue.